"Clang—"
With the tolling of the bell, Emperor Xue Ye appeared on the ceremonial platform.
The location was close to the platform, but the crowd was sparse—perfect for handling any unexpected incidents.
Ning Fengzhi was merely a support-type soul master. Without close protection, any mishap would be troublesome.
On the platform, Emperor Xue Ye began with his address.
The general content was about the inseparable relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Heaven Dou Empire. He rambled on at length, but it could all be summarized in four words:
Xue Qinghe becoming Ning Fengzhi's disciple symbolized a "powerful alliance" between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"No matter which world you're in, there's always this kind of lullaby!" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but complain internally.
Suddenly, she noticed the Bone Douluo and Dugu Bo looking in the same direction.
"That is..."
Ning Rongrong also shifted her gaze to where they were looking.
From a slightly shadowed area, three figures slowly emerged.
At the center was an elderly man who exuded a robust and powerful aura.
Accompanying him were two young men with somewhat delicate features.
Ning Rongrong's keen perception told her that the seemingly rugged old man emitted a pressure similar to the Bone Douluo's.
It reminded her of the sensations she often felt around the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
A Title Douluo?
Before she could ponder further, a voice came from across the way.
"Long time no see, Gu Rong."
"If it isn't Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? I didn't expect you to attend today."
The Bone Douluo's tone carried a hint of surprise. Truth be told, there was some history between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. While nothing major, the two factions generally viewed each other with disdain.
"Ah, Sect Master Ning is taking the Crown Prince as his disciple. As the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also collaborates with the Heaven Dou Empire, it's only natural we'd send representatives."
"Oh, the Poison Douluo is here too." Yu Yuanzhen had intentions of recruiting Dugu Bo—hence why he'd sent Yu Tianheng to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
"Just happened to be in the area," Dugu Bo replied. "I've had many dealings with Sect Master Ning, and our relationship is quite good."
Yu Yuanzhen nodded.
He was well aware that Dugu Bo frequently visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to trade herbs.
He could only lament that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan lacked the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda's treasure appraisal abilities—otherwise, they might have already recruited Dugu Bo.
"And this is...?" Yu Yuanzhen's gaze fell on the doll-like young girl quietly standing beside Gu Rong, studying them.
He recognized Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Gu Rong, but this unfamiliar girl was a mystery—he didn't recall ever seeing her before.
"Pleased to meet you, Your Excellency Thunder. I am Ning Rongrong, daughter of Ning Fengzhi," Ning Rongrong answered.
"Ning Rongrong... that name sounds familiar." Yu Yuanzhen pondered until Yu Tianheng nudged his wrist. "She's the mysterious little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"Oh!" Yu Yuanzhen suddenly remembered. "Ning Rongrong, the innate full soul power talent! Now I recall!"
No wonder he hadn't recognized her!
Rumors said Ning Rongrong had extremely poor health—she'd even vomited blood during her spirit awakening, something unheard of.
Thus, it was said this most beloved daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's leader had remained within the clan for recuperation, rarely ever venturing outside.
After brief introductions, Ning Rongrong finally learned the identities of the two youths flanking Yu Yuanzhen.
In the original story, they were the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's last hopes—Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin.
"Yan'er, let's go talk elsewhere. We shouldn't disturb the adults," Yu Tianheng cautiously approached Dugu Yan and whispered.
After a moment of silence, Dugu Yan nodded. "Alright."
Thus, under the watchful eyes of three Title Douluos, the two departed together.
"Seems your grandson Yu Tianheng has taken a liking to Dugu Yan! I wonder if the Poison Douluo will approve," the Bone Douluo chuckled meaningfully.
"Gu Rong, let the young handle their own affairs. We shouldn't interfere," Yu Yuanzhen replied, his grin stretching ear to ear as if Dugu Bo joining their ranks was already a done deal.
The two 95th-rank Title Douluos' veiled sparring placed tremendous pressure on the 91st-rank Dugu Bo.
After brief contemplation, Dugu Bo chimed in:
"Indeed. We're all old men now. Let the children settle their own matters. Whatever decision Yan'er makes, I'll respect it."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan wasn't to be offended, but neither was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
He, Dugu Bo, was weak, pitiful, and helpless!
As Dugu Bo stood there awkwardly unsure how to proceed—
Emperor Xue Ye's lengthy speech finally concluded.
Ning Fengzhi stood on the ceremonial platform as the apprenticeship ceremony officially commenced.
Dressed in refined attire, Xue Qinghe approached from below. His golden locks paired with elegant yet unpretentious robes lent him an air of gentle nobility.
Step by step, he ascended the platform stairs before kneeling and performing three solemn bows to Ning Fengzhi.
"Today, I, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire, pledge myself as disciple to Ning Fengzhi, leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Henceforth, I shall treat him with the reverence due a father. Should I break this oath, may heaven and man alike abandon me, and may the skies strike me down!"
Xue Qinghe's voice rang out passionate and clear, his sincerity palpable to all present.
However, a certain observer at the ceremony's periphery—
Well, well, well.
I'm trying to elevate my father to greatness, and here you are trying to send him straight to the afterlife!
"Treat him with the reverence due a father?"
Consider Emperor Xue Ye's eventual fate.
And yes, you spoke loudly and passionately.
But is your name really Xue Qinghe?
You're Qian Renxue!
What does this oath have to do with you?
Compared to Xue Qinghe's all-or-nothing vow, Ning Fengzhi's response was far more measured.
He simply stated that should the Heaven Dou Empire face peril, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would aid to its fullest capability, and that he would instruct Xue Qinghe to the best of his abilities.
During the ceremony, Ning Fengzhi presented the spiritual herb "Dragon Fruit" to Xue Qinghe, explaining its benefits for spirit cultivation.
The apprenticeship ceremony concluded amidst lively chatter, with Xue Qinghe having achieved his goal of becoming Ning Fengzhi's disciple.
Though what truly lay in this disciple's heart was known only to himself.
A minor incident occurred during the proceedings—
Yu Tianheng got dumped.
Dugu Yan's reason was that she didn't wish to waste time on romantic entanglements. She wanted to focus on cultivation to reach the continent's pinnacle.
The sheer determination behind her words left Yu Tianheng utterly dumbfounded.
After the ceremony, Ning Fengzhi first conversed briefly with the Crown Prince, then exchanged pleasantries with Yu Yuanzhen before finally taking his leave from Emperor Xue Ye.
Before departing, Emperor Xue Ye—having expressed regret over the Xue Beng incident—allowed Ning Rongrong to select one treasure from the imperial vault.
On their return journey, watching Ning Rongrong toying with her newly acquired item, Ning Fengzhi couldn't contain his curiosity.
"Rongrong, what exactly is that in your hand?"
Given free rein to choose anything from the Heaven Dou Empire's treasure vault,
Ning Rongrong had bypassed all the priceless artifacts in favor of what appeared to be an unidentified object fished up by sailors—something that seemed to react to soul power infusion.
"This is far more valuable than any national treasure!" Ning Rongrong declared.
Initially, she'd considered taking something related to the Sea God.
But then she thought—why would she want that? To make sure the Divine Realm could keep tabs on her?
According to certain novels, transmigrators were essentially extra-dimensional demons.
Bringing the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would be like carrying a time bomb!
If she were to take it, she'd wait until her strength had grown enough to potentially touch the realm of gods!
Ning Rongrong examined the palm-sized square object engraved with strange patterns.
This thing was far more useful than Tang San's hidden weapons!
And it definitely wasn't native to the Douluo Continent.